Sunday, October 24, 2010

BOOM! The Good Ship Raider Has Landed

From nine points and a passer rating of 10 against a winless team last week to 59 points and an all-time Raiders scoring record the next? BOOM!

The Broncos probably thought they were going to get the meek Dr. Jekyll. And they suddenly got Mr. Hyde. BOOM!

How do you analyze a can of whup-ass? You can't, so I won't. It was creative, dynamic, joyous and unrelenting. I'll leave it at that. Well, maybe I won't...

It's one thing to score 59 points in the NFL, let alone against a divisional rival on the road. Yet it's quite another to do it like a flying saucer coming from outer space, literally out of nowhere as thousands of slack-jawed spectators wonder what just hit them. The Raiders did this? Yes, the Raiders did.

That's right, a UFO landed in Colorado today, the Good Ship Raider, and there are crop circles all over that field. The city of Denver is dazed and confused, smoke coming out of its ears, blinded by Darren McFadden's warp speed and our defense's intergalactic dominance.

Make no mistake, this was a crushing performance, a release of pent-up energy that was seemingly light years in the making.

78 Comments:

by that ship and spit back out with a bit of a Earth Shattering head-ache...Maybe the beginning of a real down to Earth hang-over...But during that abduction I had the weirdest dream that my Raiders came out of no where and kicked some stupid "Mule" Asses right into oblivion...

Please tell me this wasn't just a dream...Everything seams to be in a bit of a fog and me eyes are crossed like the Bones -n- Scull...

I mean "Scull-n-Bones" on that ultra-sensationalistic abducting intergalactic speedster out of a "Black Hole" that left me without a voice and this pain right between me eyes...

– Samson Satele left the the game with a concussion, which meant that Jared Veldheer, who helped open some gaping holes for McFadden, moved to the middle after starting at left tackle. Wide receiver Louis Murphy re-injured his clavicle, and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey started the game but didn’t play long because he was “ill,” according to Cable.

Well That explains why "DHB" didn't get in on the fun...

For the record I'm saying our 3rd rd pick "The Impaler" is for real and will be a damn good "LT"/"C" which ever he ends up playing...

Now just get Campbell in the rotation on the "OL" and maybe we will have something consistent...

Amazing game that will be remembered for a long time by Raiders fans, and I’m sure Broncos fans as well.

Just to prove the football Gods were on our side, there was one play the Raiders were called for a penalty on D, but the Broncos were also called for a PF, and the refs pushed the Broncos back 15 yards.

Gary said: "The game was actually pretty boring the second half"

Oh really? I doubt ANY diehard Raiders fans would agree with that statement. I was riveted to the very end. Sorry the Raiders couldn't entertain you.

Oh really? I doubt ANY diehard Raiders fans would agree with that statement. I was riveted to the very end. Sorry the Raiders couldn't entertain you.>>>>

You really do live in a black and white world, don't you?

The Bronco's clearly packed it in the 2nd half after the Raiders answered their TD... is it exciting for you to watch meaningless football?

Like I said (and you ignored) I'll GLADLY be bored like this for every game... but to pretend that was good football when one team packed it in is pretty childish. It was pretty much like watching practice games and getting excited... but whatever floats your boat bubs!

You are pretty much backing up my point I made long ago... the only way you can be entertained is by blowing out every game. That seems more of a you-problem than me pointing it out to you.

McFadden is currently 2nd in yardage per game, and tied for first in YPC with Arian Foster. He's also first among RBs in total yards per game.

I'd say that puts him up towards the top of the league in running backs, and to say he hasn't done it vs elite teams is disingenuous... Ten, Hous, and StL are all in the top 16 vs the run, and I'd argue Tenn, and Hous are playoff teams... especially Tenn.

I'd agree he has to prove he can be durable across the rest of the season to really be a factor... but having one of the top RB's on our roster is going to give DC's fits...

Well, I can't say that I saw it coming for this particular game. But I can say that a couple of weeks ago I said that the Raiders had reached the same point they had reached in 1999, where they were able to play every opponent close, needing a blow out to finally turn the corner.

Well, they now have the blow out. They've now been able to see the fear they felt in the eyes of the players across the line. They have thrown down the gauntlet and said, "Never take us lightly again!"

Let me get this straight. Breaking the record for most points scored in the Raiders 50-year franchise history is "meaningless football?"

What are you doing here? Are you just here to pick fights with Raiders fans?

IMO, that was a once-in-a-lifetime regular season game that reminded me what it's like to be a proud Raiders fan. The Raiders didn't release their choke hold until late in the game, and even then it looked as though they could score again... not because the Broncos were allowing them to, or because the Broncos didn't care (they care!).

I continue to enjoy that game thoroughly, while I scratch my head and wonder which Raiders team will show up this week.

Great to hear from you Bro...Really missing your regular input...Hope things are going as well as it did for our team this week...

"RT" may be correct that we couldn't have seen this coming Sunday but the "Doubters" of the "Criers Circle" couldn't see it at all while some of us have drawn encouraging signs of Gruden's "98"-n-"99" seasons and been mocked for it...Well now it's on record...Gruden NEVER had anything that even closely resembled this during his 1st 2 seasons as "HC" and I'm failing to remember it in "00"-n-"01" either...

We are very well justified in making those comparisons so get off it and accept the fact that this team really has been on the edge of a knife and in the corner about to be turned...Now we are beyond midpoint in that corner and I believe will indeed make the complete transition...We will NOT be painted as the worst team in pro sports again...Not now...That has determinately been left in our past just as much as those 1st seasons prior to Al Davis coming to this organization and prior to my becoming a fan....Pre "62"...

I was feeling very good about this game for some totally unknown reason and went to the bar a little early...Just a good vibe I guess but good would have been holding them to 14 pts and scoring 21-24 pts ourselves between the "D"-n-"O"...But this was in the....

"Greatness Of The Raiders" records for sure...

Wonderful to have had a view of it unfolding and a pleasure to have it in front of all those "Weepin Willow" Charger fans down here in Carlsbad...

So back to my "Abduction" by "RT"s Warp-Speedster...I was captured in a time-warp projecting me some 30 yrs past present....Or was it the future I was seeing????....

PR said: "RT" may be correct that we couldn't have seen this coming Sunday but the "Doubters" of the "Criers Circle" couldn't see it at all while some of us have drawn encouraging signs of Gruden's "98"-n-"99" seasons and been mocked for it."

This coming from a guy that predicted the Raiders would lose against SD, and more or less predicted the Raiders would lose at Denver, with this statement before the game...

"PantyRaider....Return For All That "Crying Thing" After The Game..."

The first step in your recovery will be to admit that you are the "cryer" here.

You seem to be agonizing over the fact that nobody here has one bad thing to say about torching the Broncos yesterday (well, Gary did say it was boring and meaningless). You just don't get the fact that we ALL want the Raiders to win.

The more they continue to win, the more I will tip my hat, but that's not good enough for you. Well, too bad.

Are you predicting another loss this week against the Seahawks? I hope so.

Panty, I confess that I didn't see this blowout coming against Denver. I thought it was coming, but I didn't think it would come with Campbell under center. Frankly, I expected the Raiders to lose this one by a substantial margin. Campbell has shown, up until this game, no ability to bring the WRs into the mix. But ultimately, it was McFadden who was the architect of this game and not Campbell. The donkeys spent the whole game trying to figure McFadden out. Every time they looked like they might be getting on to something, Campbell hit 'em with the pass. Then when the donkeys decided to apply pass pressure, Campbell hit 'em with our now deadly screen passes.

But this is completely new Raider team. It is not a "blast from the past." Raider teams of the past have never been able to run successful screes or end arounds. While they've always had them in their playbook, they never worked when run. Now the end around and the screen are our two most dangerous attacks.

Also, it seems like Jackson is really beginning to get a feel for this team, and it's showing in his play calling.

Sorry for the confusion on the last thread Bro...I was a bit buzzed still -n- very hyped -w- eyes crossed recovering from "Abduction" so reading was not my strong point...Happy to have shared such a wonderful vision with ya Bro and look forward to the rest of the future story....

A few important points -n- implication in line with "RT"s posting...

By the way, congratulations, Mr. Davis. Well played.

Mr Davis has broken his back trying to get us and him a winning team again...Players whom he brought in the last couple seasons are now paying dividends...

"Ski" at "QB"

"D-mac"-n-Bush as "RB"s...

Zack at "TE"...

"DHB"-n-Murphy as "WR"s who both left this party early due to injury -n- illness along with Miller/"JLH" -n- Chaz when he comes back...

Huff who has taken allot of neg heat -w- "CJ" -n- Routt and than "MM" who is now maturing into who we hoped he would be...

Now add to that the new arrivals this season who are showing that they belong and can make a difference...

"LB"s McClain -n- "FA"s...

"OL" like "de Mauler" and hopefully Campbell soon too....

"DL" like Houston who is showing why he was worth a 2nd rd selection...

"QB" like "JustCrap" that has me a bit baffled at the moment...

All these moves have Al's stamp on them as do the new "OC" and his continued support for Tom "JawBone" Cable despite the slow visible returns and the Marshal as "DC" -n- the return of our "DL" coach from the Gruden error...This is what Mr Davis has recently brought to this team and us as fans and it's about damn time he received some of the credit he has earned...

ThankYou "RT"...I for one really appreciate the props...

PantyRaider....If This Truly Is The Future We Are Seeing It's Going To Be A Glorious One For Sure!!!!/_

In the '80s the Cowgirls were absolute crap. However, the the high first round picks over a decade, and a windfall after the trade of Herschel Walker, Johnson put together one of the best teams in Dallas history.

Frankly I think the Raiders are about two players away from fielding the most dynamic team in their history. They have almost all of the ingredients.

This would not have come without the years of losing, because we never would have rebuilt the team from the bottom up, as was needed after the Super Bowl season.

If you ask me, and as I've argued all along, losing is losing. I would rather endure seven years of double digit losses to eventually put together the best Raider team in history than to spend those seven years going 7-9 to 9-7 (playing competitive football) in order to continue to play competitive (7-9 to 9-7) football.

This is what is meant when folks talk about only being able to experience the very top after having experienced the very bottom.

Good point about Hue getting a feel like it's his new supper-speeder sports car...Maybe it took a little time to get control when he stepped on the accelerator to keep it from spinning out -n- crashing in the bar-ditch...

I agree we have something different here...Some new elements to our game...Oh! But that's just not possible is it when Al's "D" is always the same and his "O" is archaic...Ha! Ha!...I just luv that one...

One point about Boller...Did you see how confused he looked in the 4th when they brought him in the game...I doubt he was a legitimate option to go to...

"JustCrap" going from a "117" to "10" to "127" was totally unreal and I don't know what we have in him...Al saw something in him that he gets mocked for but I suspect he knows more about this game and it's personnel than anyone on this board will ever know so I think I will trust his judgment...

Now to the leader of the pack...."Criers Circle"....

Don't make your foolish childish projections of failure on me it just wont stick...I was predicting a win everywhere this week and have the urls to prove it...My comments were directed at your tendency to drown this board in tears and nothing more...So now we see how long it takes you to regress...

Tick-Tick-Tick....Your on the clock...Tick-Tick-Tick....I doubt you will last long....Tick-Tick-Tick....You will "Talk"

Cable has been preaching that sense he took over unlike several coaches of the past who just expected any player drafted would come to the game with those fundamentals already in place...Cable took a different approach and now that's paying off...

So while "Some" did their continual "Bitchin" session each week as those fundamentals were being instilled the rest of us appreciated that an effort was being made despite our continued failures...But that's coaching and we understood that fact...

It took time...It will still take some more time....But these players now have a full plate in front of them and it's getting digested to the point that they don't have to spend so much time thinking but start just reacting instead...That translated into the game speeding up and we certainly saw that unfold yesterday...Our player played faster than theirs not just due to physical attributes of speed but due to accelerated recognition and reaction to what they see....

That is a difference maker and will pay huge dividends in the future...

And as alluded to by "BR"...As time goes we will again be in a position to just plug players in and keep going with the system and core we have....It took time to re-construct but it will be enduring especially if the new "NFLPA" contacts allow a team to keep their personnel for a prolonged period of time...

I know this is going to drive the Whiners crazy, but maybe those early heartbreaking losses will be a blessing? For some odd reason, I think this team actually has some OVERCONFIDENCE problems. JMAC mentioned it (as well as many of the players) against Tenn... and I think last week saw it again... the team thought they could just show up and beat SF.

I'd rather have overconfidence issues in the first 6 games, than having it the last 6 when a loss might knock you out of the playoffs (and yes I sincerely think we will be firmly in the playoff hunt the last 6 games.)

OH MY GOD! I AM STILL CRYING WITH JOY! HOLY F-N CRAP! I HAD MY WIFE PINCH ME YESTERDAY TO SEE IF I WAS DREAMING OR NOT, AND HAD HER DO IT AGAIN THIS MORNING!EPIC! I HOPE WE GO INTO SEATTLE AND DO IT AGAIN, AND THEN AGAINST KC!I WANT 3 WINS IN A ROW, BABY! IF WE CAN DO THAT, THEN I WILL SAY WE HAVE TURNED THE CORNER! LET'S BUILD ON YESTERDAY, NO MORE LOOKING BACK, NO MORE LAUGHING STOCK!Now, my dose of reality. The only complaint I have, is 3 times yesterday we couldn't get the play in fast enough, and got called on a delay of game for it once. We have got to improve on getting the play in. Know where you want to go, be a step ahead.LONG LIVE THE GREATNESS OF THE RAIDERS, AND LONG LIVE THIS GLORIOUS DAY OF SMOKING THE DONCOS IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD! THE ONLY THING MISSING IS A VIDEO OF A LITTLE DONCO FAN ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD WEEPING! MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, PUNCH THE DONCOS IN THE FACE.

Gary, I think you have a valid point regarding the over confidence problem. This team knows it has loads of talent. After a win, the manage to convince themselves that it has all fallen into place, only to settle back and let next week's opponent dictate the game. But now they know what can happen if they finish every play and don't ever stop the momentum. I saw the old tendencies start to come back at the end of the first half, and into the second. But this time the Raiders said, "Hold on!" and re-exerted the pressure.

One more little tidbit. I think it was JONES who said that the Raiders playbook was antiquated and useless, and spit on the Raiders signature running play, 17 Bob Trey O. Well, they ran that all day yesterday, and the donkeys couldn't stop it.

I guess that proves J-Mac is correct that it's more about the execution than the play. From all reports, and from what I saw, the left side of the Raiders' O-line was channelling Upshaw and Shell.

Bama7Hello to all. H, hope you are felling better. What a treat yesterday for us all! McFadden is a hell of a talent. There is more to come from him. We Raider fans have wanted a playoff game for a long time, well we have it... three playoff games. The Chiefs and dolts. AFC west sucks so bad I think if we win those three we'll make the playoffs.

Overconfidence? Sorry, but that’s just another excuse, and hardly valid after squeaking out just two wins in six chances, with a blowout loss in the opener.

Players and coaches are smart enough to know they must anticipate every game will be a heavyweight WWF match... no matter who they are playing.

Otherwise, you mean to tell me they are just learning this age-old lesson? Come on!

The Raiders were overmatched and laid an egg two weeks ago, then looked all-world the next. Maybe they are searching for their identity, since they don't even know who their starting QB is week to week.

But they understand there are no gimmes. Overconfidence is for chumps and suckers. It’s an invitation for failure. Let’s give them more credit than that.

You are wrong...Dead/Totally Wrong...Turning a corner is very much a "Roller Coaster Ride" and always has been....

You go look at any team who clawed their way up and there will be that one pivotal game that they point to and say...

"That's when we knew we were in it...That we had arrived"....

NOT because from that game on they continued to produce at that same high level....But because from that point forward they knew they were never really out of it if they just keep pushing and because it was at that point that they began to believe in themselves...

If you ever achieved playing any sport that element was there...I don't care what it is...Ping-Pong for crying out loud...There was a point where you knew you had game and that's what this is but as a team...Turning that corner as a team from perinatal losers to potential winners...From "Also-Ran" to competitor...

Every damn team in every damn sport is on that "Roller Coaster"...And at some point it will take a dive on ya and it's hell to get that thing on a different track heading level or on an incline...Just ask "SD"...Just ask that "03" Raider team...And now just ask the "10" Raiders who finally have found the up-ward incline track after being on that level one for the past few seasons...

Hey Gary, all I'm saying is that over the short course of this season, you can't put McFadden up there with the elite RB's just yet. Durability is the biggest issue. But there's still the issue of his ability to read his blocks: although he looks like he's improved, there's still some cases where he puts his head down when hitting a hole.

Anyway, I like the kid and I'm glad he's playing well. Even though I didn't like the pick at the time, I still had expected that McFadden would have given us more than he has. Surely, he's the most exciting offensive player we have on our roster. I just hope he doesn't turn out to be the most frustrating.

Re: Jason Campbell. I've been pretty surprised at how poorly he's played, but I don't see why he can't regain his veteran skills over the course of this season. He played under a pretty simplistic offense in Washington and had pretty good stats.

Still don't think Grad is worth making a starter. We need consistency at the QB position, and Campbell gives us the best chance at doing so. If he can't perform up to the level he did at Washington, then there's something wrong with the coaching and philosophy of the team IMO. Time will tell. But I do see signs that Hue is being a little more inventive with his play calling (more timing routes for example), and that helps keep defenses on their heals a bit and Campbell better protected. I even give credit for misdirecting the defense with some nice hand-fakes that opened up some gaping holes for McFadden. Little stuff like that is often over looked.

The one big minus about Jason, and one of the reasons why he's not been able to reach elite status, is that once he gets a little beat up in a game, his timing goes to shit. So, leaving the guy back there to be a sitting duck while he waits for receivers to beat their man down the field is not an option. Maybe Grad plays better in an improvisational setting like that, but no NFL offense can be consistently successful being run that way. Maybe Hue is getting Al to see the light; it's clear that his coaching authority has risen over the course of the last couple of games. I love the fact that he went to Campbell and told him straight up, "you're our guy and we NEED you to be our leader." That's what it's all about. You have to stand behind the most proven leader on your roster and hand the keys over. Jason is the only guy we have on our offense with any kind of NFL success. I'll leave it at that. Until we get someone better, I'm not going to give up on the guy.

You don't have any clue. Turning the corner means that a team plays solid football on a CONSISTENT week-by-week basis. You don't turn the corner by being Dr. Jeckyl one week and then Mr Hyde the next.

"You go look at any team who clawed their way up and there will be that one pivotal game that they point to and say...

That's when we knew we were in it...That we had arrived"

Oh you mean when we beat the Chargers and then the next week lost to an 0-5 Niners?

We all love it when the Raiders win. I can point out games over the past few years where we had an enjoyable 1 week ride but didn't follow it up with another good performance.

When a team is on it's way to being a competitive, playoff caliber team, it is a product of stringing together good wins in bunches.

Do the math ... you don't get to 9,10,11,12 wins in a season (and become a playoff team) unless you stack up the wins, put together winning streaks. Need I remind you that we haven't had back-to-back wins since Dec of 2008?

This team has established some good things this season that will hopefully bode well for this year and beyond.

#1 This team seems to have very good chemistry. Guys play hard for each other and genuinely seem to care and like each other.

#2 This team has no drama, off-field issues, or distractions.

#3 This team plays hard and doesn't roll over.

#4 This team has many young players developing and building their confidence level.

We are on the cusp of turning the corner IF we establish a certain level of consistent performance.

The Sea-Chickens game is a GREAT test to see how we handle our business AFTER a win. HUGE difference between going 4-4 and winning back to back games OR going 3-5 and letting the air out of the momentum balloon.

You'll learn one day PR. This dismantling of the Broncos could become a pivotal game if and only if we follow it up with another good performance that leads to a win. Otherwise, it is more of the roller coaster syndrome of up, down, down, up, down, up ...

Funny thing is though, I honestly think that SF has a far better team than Denver right now. The 49er coaching staff is in complete disarray, which is what accounts for their poor record. If there's anyone in the NFL who was a worse play caller than Tom Cable, it was Jimmy Raye, and yet Singletary stuck with him through nearly two seasons. I will give Al credit right here and now for correcting a poor decision on his part immediately once last season ended.

Anyway, SF can compete with any team in the NFL week to week. They've lost most of their games this season under some truly bizarre circumstances. And as much as I thought Singletary was a good hire across the bay (I know I wasn't the only Raider fan who wished we had a guy like him at the time), he has done a very poor job of preparing his team week to week. Moreover, he's an apologist for poor play, which is unfortunately what I see in Cable from time to time (yes, I'm not sold on Cable at all; and I think Hue is in line to take his job). Okay, lest any of you start calling me a Whiner fan, my motive is not to prop up the 49ers. It's to make the case that I don't think the loss to the 49ers was a let down. They physically beat us up that game. I mean, don't you wish we would have drafted Patrick Warren when he was available? I actually saw that game as a good game for us, because what it said to the Raiders was that they have to play more aggressive and with better pace, or they're going to get mauled by defenses that play physical. So I see some nice adjustments by Hue being made. I'm hoping it had more to do with him that it did Denver's injuries. Again, time will tell.

I'm really getting the feeling that Al sees 'something' in this guy and is expanding his coaching power as the season progresses. I'm not going to pretend that's a fact, but it is a gut feeling I have.

The Sea-Chickens game is a GREAT test to see how we handle our business AFTER a win. HUGE difference between going 4-4 and winning back to back games OR going 3-5 and letting the air out of the momentum balloon. >>>

I agree, but the key game is in two weeks vs KC.

I can handle a loss next week IF we beat KC the following week.

A Seattle win followed by a loss to KC is nice, but accomplishes little IMO.

With all due respect, Onandonandon, I strongly disagree. This game was low hanging fruit. First 2 possessions we move to the red zone and come up with 6 points instead of 10 or 14. Instead of building our lead and putting the Niners on the ropes, we put together 5 consecutive 3 and outs by running a vanilla offense with poor execution. We allowed the Niners to stick around instead of putting our collective foot on their throats.

Talking about Hailey's program turning the corner...They are one game above 500...Are they turning a corner...They lost 2 in a row after the bye...

turn the cornerFig. to pass a critical point in a process. The patient turned the corner last night. She should begin to show improvement now. The project has turned the corner. The rest should be easy.

turn the cornerif something or someone turns the corner, their situation starts to improve after a difficult period

turn the cornerto improve after going through something difficult

Now get a grip before you post some attack at me...I'm the one who presents the evidence on this board...NOT just made up tripe!!!...

I agree to a point. All things being equal, of course it would be better to lose to the Sea Chickens and beat the Condiments instead of the other way around. Ideally, you want the Raiders to continue to build momentum leading up to the Condiments game instead of the one-step forward then one-step back cycle.

>>>>So, leaving the guy back there to be a sitting duck while he waits for receivers to beat their man down the field is not an option.>>>>

I agree here too...

I think the guy looks great rolling out... and has even in the games where he couldn't throw a pebble in the ocean.

I'd love to see some bootlegs off of play actions to McF... I think there would be wide open receivers all over with safeties worrying about McF going left to the outside... and Campbell throws well rolling to the right...

"Talking about Hailey's program turning the corner...They are one game above 500...Are they turning a corner...They lost 2 in a row after the bye..."

PR - The Chiefs are 4-2 (2 games over .500). The Chiefs put together a 3 game winning streak ... something we have not accomplished since 2002. Yes, by all accounts, the Chiefs have turned the corner. They have won .667 of their games. The 2 games they lost were very close losses to playoff caliber teams (Indy 9-19; Houston 31-35).

I was hoping Bush would be in the mold of a Frank Gore; but even though he runs in the open field pretty well, the timing of his cuts at the line isn't quick enough to break himself free. If you give him enough room, he can certainly rumble.

But yeah, I tend to agree Gary. That said, the kid is capable of going off from time to time when he gets enough carries. So, I'm satisfied with him as the starting tailback when McFadden is injured.

Clearly, McFadden is starting to show more consistency and living up to the promise that people expected out of him. And I gotta say, all the talk about this kid being a thug was all wrong. He seems kind of shy and soft-spoken if anything. Heck, I'd like to see him play with a bigger chip on his shoulder than he has.

But what a refreshing thing it is to actually like the person that's behind the star. I wish nothing but success for this guy and hope he can stay healthier throughout his career. I love athletes that are committed to growing as people as a function of bettering themselves at their craft.

The fact that McFadden has improved his vision, shows me that he is working very hard; but it's also rare that a NFL RB improves what is mostly natural instinct. It may be that McFadden ran through such gaping holes in college that he never put his attention to a skill that might have come more naturally to him otherwise. That's my hope anyway.

Calico Jack. Indeed you are correct about the lost opportunities. But throughout the game SF put a good physical beating on us, and we're not the first team they've done that to; hell, they physically beat up NO pretty good early in the season. All I'm saying is they are a much better team than their record, and I have a pretty good feeling that Denver is in a very bad place right now. We'll see. Denver is playing SF next week I believe.

OK, I’m a little late to the party. Family commitments over the weekend (I never pass up time to spend with Grandson of H) kept me from watching the game until Monday afternoon. Through some miracle I was able to avoid the score, though I think I did hear someone on the radio mention a Raiders’ win. But I wasn’t sure. I’m sure glad God invented the DVR.

But, with about 13 minutes left in the second quarter at 31-0 I was tempted to go to ESPN.com for the final score, however I resisted.

In spite of some post here there was nothing boring or meaningless about any part of that game.

Bama,

Thanks. Recovery has now gone better than expected. The Doc say’s I’ll never be pain free but he sure as hell knocked out about 70-80% of it. Might have to go back into the shop for a tune up in about five years, but I’ll take this in a heartbeat. Hope everything is well with you also. Next time I’m over toward B’Ham we’ll have to have a beer.

Good one BlackBegonia.

NYRaider,

“How does a guy go from a career-worst 10.7 passer rating to a career-best 127.9 in one week?”

Here’s my best guess. In the Whiner game he mostly stayed in the pocket trying to get the ball deep. They brought a lot of pressure up the middle forcing him to run. Against the Geldings, Jackson seemed to be calling more designed rollouts, run pass options, short/medium timing throws to get him in a rhythm and I think I even saw a pseudo pure option play. McFadden, Bush and Reese’s ability to get first downs helped a lot also. Just My No Longer Humble Opinion.

I wish Campbell had gotten that TD. Rookie mistake by Jacoby Ford.

Anyway, I am now a Buffalo Chips fan. They gave Baltimore all they could handle, and the most dangerous teams in the league are winless teams.

Winning games in your division is vital to making a playoff run, but going 6-0 in the division and losing to everyone else will only result in another double-digit loss season (ok, maybe not since we squeaked by the Rams... but you get the picture).

No team is established enough that they should have the luxury of looking past an opponent. Thus, the stupidity of overconfidence. Avoiding overconfidence is ingrained in players at every level of sports (and, yes Gary, I've played organized sports and experienced it first hand).

I guess if there was ever a time to be overconfident, it’s after setting a franchise-record for scoring. But I think it’s the coaches job (and hopefully the job of veteran leadership) to bring the players back to earth.

The Seahawks are 4-2 and lead their division. They are a talented, well-coached team with a veteran QB.

IMO, the Raiders dominant play in Denver will only cause the Seahawks to turn up their game another notch. If the Raiders want to win, they’ll have to do the same.

The overconfidence issue is a legitimate one. That is the primary reason that a team, turning the corner, wins by a big margin one week and then sputters the next. Once you believe you've turned the corner, the tendency is to start waiting for games to fall into place for you.

That's the danger the Raiders face this week. Cable will have to remind them that they are going to have to go out and TAKE every game. None will be presented to them.

Does anyone know of a site that posts radio archives for the raider games? I know KSFO used to have a full archives section on their website but I don't see that this year for KFRC or Live 105. I would love to be able to hear Papa's reaction to Sunday's proceedings. (unless his head just exploded after 31-0)

The problem with KC is they're pretty much a mirror image of us offensively, and prolly better defensively.

Offensively they run the ball extremely well, but have an erratic QB, and questionable WRs. Sound familiar?

Defensively they are statistically 6th vs the run while we are 28th.. but its pretty much flipped against the pass... thus if whomever is our QB, if he is struggling, and they are stopping the run better... sounds like a long day.

This week we play a fine Seattle team at home, while they play a 0-6 Buffalo team.

Now I ask anyone...Does this NOT look like substantial improvement after suffering threw a bad/difficult period??...Are we the same team in "10" that we were in "09"??...Is the same "Gloom" in the air now that dominated at this time last season??...The answer to these questions has to be a resounding "NO"....We are not the same team -n- we have demonstrated vast improvement and have without a doubt began to "Turn The Corner" and enter on a path of recovery...

Without a freakin doubt....We are now in recovery...

How long it takes to fully recover and what we eventually become remains to be answered but make no mistake about it we are now in the "Recovery" stages of develop -n- no longer on the critical list prior to turning that corner...

And for the record...What happened last week can not be taken away by anything that transpires this Sunday...I don't care if the "SquawkChickens" dominate us the same way we dominated the "Mules"...That's one for the record archives and will live on in the "Greatness of the Raiders" for time to come...Just like our win Sunday can't take away the egg we left on that field in "SadFran" so too nothing can take away what we just accomplished..."SadFran" didn't erase our "V" -vs- "SD" either...

Personal Opinion: Some are so intent at holding onto their posted demands for Mr Davis to step down that they fail/refuse to grasp the glory at hand while in denial of Al's recent accomplishments with his team...

Overconfidence is one example of a miscalibration of subjective probabilities.

someone's subjective confidence in their judgments is reliably greater than their objective accuracy

Confidence becomes a real problem when it becomes overconfidence. Unfortunately, almost everyone overestimates their capabilities----------------------------------Applied in sports the player becomes "Reckless"...He abandons basic fundamentals or schemes and attempts to play above his own capabilities...He misreads his ability to make the play and thus abandons his assigned responsibilities...He reacts to what his eye sees without reasoning on his own physical limitations...

Thus a "DB" attempts to jump a rout that is far beyond his reach and gives up the big play instead of following basic fundamentals and keeping close coverage...

A "LB" tries to go threw a bigger defender thinking he can dominate and make that play when he can't...Instead he is stood up and taken out of the play altogether...

A "QB" tries to thread the needle when his arm lacks the accuracy/power to deliver that ball...Or throws deep when it's outside the realm of his physical reach -n- timing...

When a team becomes "Overconfident" individual players take unwarranted risks at different stages of the game....It's not that they lay down or glide while not making an effort....It's their recklessness/lack of discipline/lack of attention to detail that translates into failures...

if you show it to us and you show me what you’re capable of and you’ve been able to do it more than once, it’s expected. It’s called raising the bar. And when you raise the bar you’ve got to be accountable to that......we’re not going to go backwards, we’re going to move forward.

That’s what champions do in the ring. If you get someone hurt, you knock him out. I think we’re trying to take that mentality and really grow with it if you will.

Well I think the "Bar" has now definitely been raised and as Cable said they now have to be accountable to that...

"Yes, by all accounts, the Chiefs have turned the corner. They have won .667 of their games. The 2 games they lost were very close losses to playoff caliber teams (Indy 9-19; Houston 31-35)."

Are you making excuses for the "Squaws" while damning us if we post Pos about the Raiders accusing us of "Excusing"..."Excuse Making"..."Enablers"...

Did the Titans beat the Texans...We lost 3 games to very potential "PO" caliber teams and the "AZ" lost was a win had it not been for the missed chip shot "FG" at the end which would have given us 2 in a row had we not choked...

Tenn @ 5-n-2Hou @ 4-n-2AZ @ 3-n-3 Reining NFCW Champs

Both teams beat the raining AFCW Champs "SD"...

We beat the #2 AFCW team decisively...

So where are our excuses...When do we get props for playing tough against the NFL's best...

We doped one game to a losing program in which our "D" stopped them almost the entire game until the gas tank was empty because our "O" couldn't gain 1 freakin yd while "JustCrap" was playing "#10" football...

PantyRaider...Holding Account Of Our Errors While Pimping The "Squaws" Is Conduct Unbecoming A Raider!!!!/_

Interesting match-ups...When we are on "O" it's strength -vs- strength...Not sure how many strong running attacks Seattle has faced but they should get tested this week....Hopefully we have our "WR"s healthy and can get them more involved in this game..If not we have allot in of passing game in our "RB"s-n-"TE"s that should be able to take advantage of their weakness defending against the pass...

On "D" we don't face a strong running threat nor a strong passing threat....Also their "OL" is a little suspect so may present opportunities to the "Sack-Pack"...Here is another game where I would employ the "Big-Nickle" -w- 5 man front...Bring the heat early -n- often...If they beat us it has to be with the pass or our own mistakes...M. Williams 32/348yds 10.9ave 1 TD is their leading receiver but posts no real deep threat...Lack of speed...

Raiders Win -n- Go "500"...4-n-4..

KC Win over Buf.....5-n-2...Den Loss to SF......2-n-5...SD loss to Tenn.....2-n-5...

Interesting: We sent the "MuleHeads" off to England "Tar-n-Feathered" in their wagons...I think our beat-down -n- smashing of their hopes will have far reaching effects and that will be seen this week...

2 of the worst teams make that trip...1-n-6 plays 2-n-5...WoW!...Way to build international interest NFL....

Question: Where was all the tears because our "WR"s had very little production....

N. Miller 1/32yds leading "WR"????L. Murphy 2/29J. Ford 2/15

Ya see...When "DHB" ain't in there the production drops....5 total catches and that's with the little boyz the "Criers" were pimping in the game....Miller/Ford....

Cable indicated that rookie Jacoby Ford would likely have an increased role if Murphy were injured.

W0W!...We just can't stay healthy at the specialty positions..."QB"s/"RB"s/"WR"s have all been on the Lame list...Only one "TE" has been temporarily out so far so lets hope Zack can continue to endure...What could this team be with a healthy "O" all yr...

The "OL" has taken it's share of hits too....

I have to project Cable/Hue as doing a hell of a job under these circumstances...Last season all we had was a "BrainDead" "QB" on the "JePurple Bootleg Drank" unwilling to perform list....

12:28 jerrymac: With the `fatigue' in camp and now the illness, it does seem strange. But there doesn't seem to be any attitude issues that I'm aware of and they keep starting him. He'll continue to be one of the more interesting storylines on the team

12:28 [Comment From tehwallztehwallz: ] Looks like not cutting Mike Mitchell was the right choice.

12:29 jerrymac: The most improved player on the team over the last three games. If Al Davis, as reports suggested, stepped in and didn't allow Mitchell to be cut, he deserves credit for that and the coaches ought to be thanking him.

This response goes out to Gary, who said the 2nd half was "boring" and "meaningless".

12:38 [Comment From JimboJimbo: ] You have said you arent a fan of the Raiders, but just dont like to report on "bad football". How was last Sunday? Have some fun?

jerrymac: Fun to watch, absolutely. More fun to write about. Completely different storyline, unexpected and even inspiring.

"MM" was a good draft pick in the 2nd rd last season even if some didn't like it at the time...He has proven himself now in his 2nd season and will no doubt continue to improve...I think/hope...Luv the hits...

3rd rd pick "ShawNasty" has also proven himself and was a good pick...

Murphy in the 4th -n- Brandon Myers in the 6th were also very good picks...

The rest well...

4b. Slade Norris, LB6a. Stryker Sulak, DE

Gone....

"DHB"....Wait-n-See but he has shown signs when someone get's him the ball and his down field blocking and decoy value can keep him in the game...That and that we have little else to go to...

The "OldMan" ain't always wrong and knows his shit....But he ain't always right either and makes mistakes...The mistakes have made this turn around take a little longer than it should but his accomplishments are show results now and I luv what I'm seeing...

Well I hope their back-up plays well enough to play "Kick the Donkey" while it's down....Luv to see/hear them moan.....Hee! Hah!....Hee! Haaah!....

NFL projections of who makes the "PO"s....We weren't in consideration...

Seattle (4-2): The Seahawks still have a lot of room for growth, but they compete on every play. The addition of running back Marshawn Lynch will continue to help the offense, and they have the most stable quarterback situation in the division. Pete Carroll is in the early mix for Coach of the Year.

Chiefs (4-2): I am a believer. Sure, Kansas City hasn't beaten an upper-echelon team, but there aren't any of those left on the schedule. There will be some bumps along the way, and the Raiders can't be dismissed, but the Chiefs are putting points on the board, running the ball better than anyone and playing good enough defense.

Well I for one believe we are more than a mire "Bump" so next week this team needs to be up and hungry...Cable should start posting this sorry ass crap now...No respect!!...But if we can take these next 2 they will be forced to start respecting us whether they like it or not...

I gave Al credit and always do so when I perceive he does the right thing. The problem is that his stubbornness, shortsightedness, simple-mindedness and failure to adapt more rapidly to league innovations has cost us an extremely high percentage of losing seasons over the course of the last 20 plus seasons.

I also think that his obsession with the past and hatred of those who second-guess him has led to the excommunication of great Raider players who contributed significantly to the Raiders' success over the years. I'm talking about guys like Tim Brown, Rich Gannon and Marcus Allen. If a player doesn't fit his idea of 'greatness,' they mean nothing to him. If you're trying to get young guys to feel like they're joining a great organization, then this hasn't been the right message to send. As a Raider fan who enjoyed all of those players, it's kind of sad that Al doesn't accept them as family. And it's even sadder that some Raider fans have bought into Al's mindset on this, particularly when it comes to Marcus. We wouldn't have won any Super Bowl in the 80's without him, and that's a fact.

I didn't want Mitchell in the 2nd, but didn't really question it until after the rumors surfaced that the coaches may have wanted to cut him this year in favor of Stevie Brown (a play-maker in pre-season). Now that Brown is on the roster, it's a non-issue for me.

That said, Mitchell is now much further along than Brown in his development as a pro... besides, they don't play the same position.

The comment is actually a kudos to Al Davis if, in fact, he interceded on Mitchell's behalf.

Caution, you can't have it both ways. Davis only deserves mention in this instance if you believe the rumor of the coaches wanting to release Mitchell is true. I'm guessing that's NOT the case for the "crew" members.

Well said, onandon. I ran into a Raiders fan this past Sunday that questioned my reference to Marcus Allen as being former superstar for the Raiders. IMO, the thought of excluding Allen from that category is absurd.

On the record as far the the rumor I felt it could be true but could just as well be made up "BS" by the damn "Mediot"s and it didn't matter...

In the past Al has overruled the coaches and it's turned out good and maybe some that doesn't get disclosed turns out bad...I don't know...But the coaches wanted to cut the "Mad-Stork" but Al didn't allow it and he had a "PB" season...Madden talked about that one...

onandonandon....

I think your listening too much to the spin the "Mediot"s put on things...

#1...It was Marcus Allan who shit on the Raiders publicly and than refused to go into the "HOF" wearing our colors...He later softened his stance and it's been reported that Al -n- Alan have patched up their differences...And some of those differences were in relationship to that whole "OJ" serial killer crap -n- not related to Raider football at all...Hell the "Snake" -n- Al also had some problems in the past but that's just the emotions of the game...

#2...I don't know that there is any problem with Timmy Brown...He has always been outspoken and has a radio show and makes a few comments that might not sit well but so the fuck what...Hell...Lester Hayes was in an upset mode at one point for being cut and it took time for him to mellow too...

#3...I see the same thing with Rich Gannon...He wants to make a name for himself and project his career somewhere...Not sure where he wants to be but consider the intentions...Maybe a coach...I don't know...So he makes some conjecture and get's his nose cut off...The "Mediot"s play that up for all it's worth as is to be expected from the bastards...

#4...Sapp-n-Hall are of a different mold and are just pricks...Good reddens and don't bother coming back...

The Raiders have more players/coaches/executives in the public eye than any other team in any sport...From head of the NFLPA to the NFL front office to TV/Radio sports broadcasters -n- writers...So there will always be something that a damn "Mediot" can sink his teeth into and blow way out of proportion in their attempts to smite Mr Davis...

One has to question their motives 1ft before putting any merit in what the say or write...

I give a LOT of credit to Tom Cable. Cable has stood behind his players EVERY DAY he's been here. He's babied them, coached them, encouraged them, defended them and made sure they scrubbed behind their ears. He has taught these players what it takes to compete in the NFL.

I'd expect that at some point the players would reward him with more than a 59-14 victory over Denver. Like a shot at the division title and a playoff berth.

That said, I don't think that Cable is the long term solution to HC. I DO think that he's contributed enough to be continually employed by Al Davis.

I actually think the place for Cable, long term, is as the Director of Player Personnel. He's shown an excellent feel for talent and skill sets. One of the hardest things to do, over any period of time, is to completely rebuild a team.

Within the next two seasons, I'd like to see Cable in that position, if he wants it, with Hue Jackson taking over as HC. I think with a full season as OC behind him, Jackson will be fully prepared to be HC.

I think such a plan would go a long ways to answer the "executive help" question, and solidify a Raiders future steeped in tradition.